Swerving the full-fat version of your favourite pop might be putting your gut health at risk

By Miranda Larbi, Digital Health & Fitness Reporter

2nd October 2018, 1:18 pm

Updated: 3rd October 2018, 2:14 pm

By Miranda Larbi, Digital Health & Fitness Reporter

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IF you've switched to Diet Coke in a bid to cut down on sugar, then you might want to reevaluate just how healthy your choices are.

Because scientists now claim that sweeteners found in Diet Coke and other soft drinks could damage your gut bacteria.

According to scientists from universities in Israel and Singapore, six common artificial sweeteners - aspartame, sucralose, saccharin, neotame, advantame and acesulfame potassium-k - have all been found to be toxic to gut bacteria.

A healthy gut microbiome is crucial for good digestion, nutrient absorbtion and immune system function

In a lab trial, all six of the sweeteners were exposed to bacteria that are commonly found in the gut, and these bacteria were then genetically modified to contain fluorescent compounds which glow when they detect toxins.

The scientists found that toxins were released when gut bacteria were exposed to each artificial sweetener, and it only took one mg/ml of the artificial sweeteners to turn the bacteria toxic.

A can of Diet Coke contains around 180mg of aspartame.

And that's led scientists to conclude that: "This is further evidence that consumption of artificial sweeteners adversely affects gut microbial activity which can cause a wide range of health issues".

Good gut health relies on a healthy gut microbiome, which has been associated with everything from digestion, nutrient absorption and immune system function.

Artificial sweeteners are used in loads of food products and drinks that boast reduced sugar content - and the study warns that many of us consume them without even realising.

It's not just our immediate health that is potentially at risk either.

These sweet chemicals have also been identified as environmental pollutants which are increasingly being found in drinking and surface water.

Professor Ariel Kushmaro said: "The results of this study might help in understanding the relative toxicity of artificial sweeteners and the potential of negative effects on the gut microbial community as well as the environment.

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